Police question monk
Athikarnvinai Jeersilo for allegedly molesting an 11-year-old girl.
Patcharapol Panrak
The abbot of a Sattahip temple has been arrested for allegedly molesting an
11-year-old girl.
Athikarnvinai Jeersilo, 61, was taken into custody at Khaocheejan Temple
Sept. 14. The arrest came after the mother of a neighbor child filed a
complaint with police about the monk allegedly fondling the child in his
quarters Aug. 4.
The monk denied the charges and has since been bailed out of jail by village
chiefs.
Police filed a motion with Tassanee Khunakorn, dean of Sattahip monks,
asking that Athikarnvinai be defrocked. The dean denied the request, saying
that as an abbot, Athikarnvinai has the right to face a trial panel.
Tassanee, however, did establish a panel to investigate the monk’s behavior
and determine discipline.
